\Shift"ing\, a.
1. Changing in place, position, or direction; varying;
variable; fickle; as, shifting winds; shifting opinions or
principles.
2. Adapted or used for shifting anything.
{Shifting backstays} (Naut.), temporary stays that have to be
let go whenever the vessel tacks or jibes.
{Shifting ballast}, ballast which may be moved from one side
of a vessel to another as safety requires.
{Shifting center}. See {Metacenter}.
{Shifting locomotive}. See {Switching engine}, under
{Switch}.